Student pilots begin new A-10C course

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tim Beckham
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base --  With aircraft getting significant upgrades enabling them to accomplish more, it only makes sense that the Airmen piloting them also get an upgrade...in training.

That's certainly the case here, as the first set of pilots began training in U.S. Air Force A-10C Pilot Initial Qualification Course, which encompasses training focused on the recently updated A-10C platform. The seven-month course replaces the old course, which primarily trained pilots on the A-10A platform.

"The big differences are the integration of data link, a targeting pod and hands-on-throttle-and-stick capabilities," said Maj. Charles Kistler, 357th Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations. "In addition, there are two multi-function color displays, a new digital stores management system and a tactical awareness display, which incorporates the data link and has a 'moving map' display, which can increase the pilot's situational awareness.

"All of these are new to the Warthog and must be taught, in addition to the absolute basics of being an attack pilot wingman, which means being in formation to provide mutual support, be on the radios, and kill your assigned target on the first attempt," he added.

The first A-10C course, which has eight students in attendance, will be the benchmark for future courses.

"With this new class the learning curve will be very steep ... not just for the students, but for the instructor pilots as well," said Major Kistler. "The A-10C brings increased capability, but with that increased capability also comes an increase in pilot task load."

Major Kistler said the new course will also be a huge learning experience for the instructors. 

"The instructor pilots will be learning just how much task load new A-10C students can handle safely," he said. "The A-10C can drive a pilot to go 'head's down' in the cockpit trying to fully utilize the new capabilities. The IP's will need to teach the students how to maximize the capabilities of the A-10C while still keeping their 'nugget' outside the cockpit providing mutual support."